Odisha announces steps to streamline registration of common areas in apartments

In a major development, Odisha government on Saturday vowed to protect the interest of home buyers by taking steps to streamline registration of common areas in apartments and preparation of modalities for registration of pre-RERA projects as per the norms of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 and Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023.

The announcements were made after Housing and Urban Development secretary Usha Padhee held a meeting with stakeholders to identify challenges in the implementation of the new Odisha Apartment Ownership Act.

From now on, the registration fee and stamp duty will be charged in a way that the same are not taken twice for the same space i.e. for registration and handing over of possession of the apartment and the common area in favour of the home buyers.

Moreover, bifurcation of cost will be provided in the agreement for the calculation of the cost of the apartment along with the common area. Furthermore, the H&UD department will submit a proposal to the Revenue Department towards the collection of a nominal registration fee and stamp duty on registration of the common areas.

A consultative meeting will also be held soon to finalise the modalities for pre-RERA apartments to pave the way for their registration, sources said.